"The 2012 Smith Haut Lafitte has an intense, well-defined and quite complex bouquet with blackberry, briary and cigar humidor scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, cohesive and poised with quite a firm grip towards the finish. This is another classy Pessac-Léognan and a wonderful example from Pessac-Léognan that might well be leading the pack at this stage. Bon vin. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting." -Neal Martin
Robert Parker
RP95
"The opaque bluish-purple 2012 Smith Haut Lafite offers up notes of licorice, graphite, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, stunningly ripe, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is another sensational effort from the Cathiards that is perfectly balanced, complex, super-rich and pure. Drink it over the next 20-25 years." -Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Decanter
D94
"Coming from a rainy vintage, this wine shows an elegant, fresh and fruity bouquet with liquorice, spices, blackberries and smoky aromas. It builds beautifully with age and offers an incredibly classic, elegant, juicy, velvety and fresh palate. It is in the middle of its maturity period and will be ready for consumption within the next five years."
Wine Spectator
WS94
"The layered fig, boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit notes are buttressed by ample, yet polished and integrated, ganache-coated tannins, while accents of black tea, ganache and tar course underneath. A really gorgeous display of fruit, showing terroir and cut on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2027."
Wine Enthusiast
WE94
"This dark and dense wine is closed, with its tannins very dominant. It’s a solid, dark wine intense with juicy acidity, firm dry structure and a rich core. This is a magnificent wine for serious aging, with all the elements coming strongly into play. Drink from 2022."
